He points to changes in how GPs are trained and shifting family dynamics as part of what is making it more difficult to hire regional GPs.

"We still have a very metrocentric approach to training doctors," Dr Lewis said.

"They are trained in the cities and while they train, they set down roots there."

And those roots might include a significant other who also has a career to pursue.

"Certainly we can find a job for a doctor — but to find a job for a chemical engineer, or lawyer, or a merchant banker is a very difficult thing obviously."

Looking for solutions

President of the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Area, Sam Telfer, has formed a working group with affected mayors to workshop solutions.

Mr Telfer said that he hoped to find solutions that would help improve the flexibility of regional jobs.

"The expectation is that a doctor will come into a town, do rounds in the morning, clinic during the day, be on call the rest of the time. And there are a lot of doctors that don't want to have that full gamut. We want to help set up a system that's more flexible."

Dr Lewis would like to see more formal pathways available for doctors who want to work in the country.

"Identify them early, set them on a path, train them in the regional areas, help them make the connections and relationships that will ensure they decide to practise here," he said.

Country Health SA recognises that attracting doctors to the regions is a challenge across regional Australia and said they worked "with key stakeholders including local governments and the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency to develop incentives to attract doctors to regional areas".

They also pointed to the importance of the South Australian Virtual Emergency Service (SAVES) program in filling the gaps left by GP shortages.